Campione 10

by War God of the Lance

  Consequently, Alec leisurely landed at a spot where Godou had already run past.

  Yes. So-called god speed was actually not the ability to "move at high speed from Point A to Point B." Rather, it was the ability to "ridiculously shorten the time taken to travel from Point A to Point B."

  As a result, it was able to perform movements that were physically impossible.

  An ordinary person's running motion was bound to a two-dimensional plane. When using the [Raptor], Godou's body became exceptionally light, allowing him to move in three dimensions.

  However, Alexandre Gascoigne's god speed was four dimensional.

  With even time under his control, it was truly four dimensional movement. Catching up to an opponent like this man was impossible!

  Thus time ticked away fruitlessly.

  "Well then... Your current condition means things have come to an end, right?"

  Alec finally declared before Godou.

  Kusanagi Godou was crouching on the ground, his hand pressing against his chest. During the chase, the [Raptor]'s time limit ran out. As intense pain filled his heart, the body began to paralyze.

  "The god speed you possess, turns out to be the type where the strain builds up with persisted use. From the fact that you could reach top speed in an instant, I already suspected that much."

  Alec explained calmly. Was he that assured of victory?

  In that case, this was probably the best opportunity...

  "In contrast, the type that increases their speed gradually usually suffers much less strain. Well, since this is something you cannot choose, there's nothing you can do about it. Luck -- or rather, your manner of usage is no good."

  Not really. Godou eyed his prey, waiting for the right moment.

  Crouching in his stiffened state, Godou was in no condition for direct combat. However, this was precisely how he could tempt Alec to become careless... Hopefully.

  "Just as I mentioned, I'm not some benevolent soul who would give up on an opportunity to lay down a one-sided beating on someone helpless. No matter what, I must catch up to that naive Guinevere and end the show."

  The Black Prince declared and took out his fountain pen.

  Indeed it was time for Godou to reveal his real trump card.

  "Ah yes, really... It's time to end things. Go forth, Ama no Murakumo!"

  Enduring the pain in his heart, Godou summoned the partner residing in his right arm.

  Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi suddenly manifested. Godou swiftly sliced using the divine sword -- or not. He was unable to depend on this stiff body to perform such an action. However, the self-aware divine sword flew by itself towards Alec.

  The tip of the blade was going to pierce Alec's heart--!

  However, Alec naturally held the swiftness of god speed. Even against a sudden slashing attack, he could simply evade.

  As expected, sparks exploded all over his body. This was the sign he was about to use god speed.

  "What!?"

  Alec displayed shock instead.

  Everything occurred as Godou had planned. This [Steel] had the power to copy an enemy's authority. Using that power, Godou copied Alec's divine speed.

  As a result, Ama no Murakumo was currently flying with lightning speed--

  Piercing into the Black Prince's chest--

  However, the image of the gentleman dressed in a stylish black jacket dissipated like a mirage.

  "...It failed eh."

  'Naturally. A man who could even slay god, cannot possibly be slaughtered so easily. Of course he would have suspected a trap.'

  What Ama no Murakumo had skewered, was nothing but an afterimage left behind by divine speed.

  This guy, he's even able to make [Decoys] through god speed?

  "It's a bit early for you to immobilize yourself to bait this trap. An admirable gamble, but you were too careless in the last second. This is checkmate. You've lost."

  "No, not really..."

  Despite being unable to even lift a finger, Godou was smiling. His lips were shaped in a savage grin.

  "I will defeat you and duel with Lancelot. This curse compels me to do so. In that case, I still have other powers I can use."

  Words of magic were uttered from his mouth in an instant.

  Godou could feel Lancelot's divine power surging forth from the depths of his heart.

  "What!?"

  Alec must have noticed it, for a cry of surprise escaped from his lips.

  "That Lancelot possessed the authority to cause others or oneself to go insane and rampage according to dormant desire. Swallowing that kind of thing, I am now relishing in our battle. After all, this is a curse which liberates one's desires."

  "And that is how you abandoned your prided hypocrisy? By accepting such a troublesome curse!?"

  Godou stood up as he ignored Alec's query. Kusanagi Godou's body and mind were currently in a berserk state. Submitting to the desires magnified by Lancelot -- he was completely overwhelmed by the notion that "I must fight that war god." Furthermore, the curse converted the command of "Defeat Alec" into power.

  Lancelot's curse was the authority to cause one to go berserk for the sake of satisfying desires. When exhaustion and injury brought one to their limits, this curse restored ferocity to the body and mind, providing new power -- giving the needed strength to stand up once again.

  Of course it was not limitless, but for Godou's current level of exhaustion--

  Using Lancelot's divine power, the body that had reached its limits began to move once more. All the injuries suffered from the fight to this point were instantly healed. Even though Verethragna's incarnations could only be reused after a full day had passed, all those incarnations were restored.

  The pain and paralysis from the [Raptor]'s use had also disappeared. There was nothing to stop him from fighting now!

  "Gascoigne, I think I more or less know all your tricks now. The second round begins... Things have not been going well for you eh. Furthermore, you are being delayed here while Guinevere and Lancelot approach their destination. I think you no longer have much time to waste."

  "Tsk. Is the battle from just now going to repeat again?"

  Learning Godou's intentions, Alec made a face as if about to spit. Since he did not actually perform the act, he managed to preserve a gentleman's dignity.

  Well then, the real battle begins now. Godou yelled out with excitement:

  "Sorry, but please play with me until I'm satisfied, Gascoigne! A chance to fight a man who has slain gods is very rare. Wouldn't it be stupid to let such a thrilling experience end so easily!?"

  But at this moment, Godou discovered interlopers had arrived.

  Godou smacked his lips. It came as no surprise, for conceivably, it was time for them to hurry their way here. Even so, he could not help but feel a bit miffed.

  This was clearly an opportunity to enjoy himself unhindered, yet those girls had to come and interfere--

  What meddlesome girls. Godou shrugged. Was he obliged to appease their displeasure in the manner of temperament they preferred? He should quickly get out of this situation...

  Blue light descended upon the deck.

  Naturally, it was Liliana Kranjcar's flight magic.

  As the light subsided, not only did the silver-haired knight and Erica Blandelli emerge, but Mariya Yuri as well. The three girls' faces seemed to be saying "What kind of mess did he get into again..." as they carried expressions full of concern.

  Chapter 6 - Towards the Island of Destiny

  Part 1

  Kusanagi Godou had gone missing--

  Last night, Erica was home when she received the news.

  "Though we don't have any bodyguards or the like, the people who keep track of Kusanagi-san sent this report."

  It came from the History Compilation Committee member, Amakasu Touma.

  After receiving his call, Erica, Liliana and Yuri gathered at the living room of the Sayanomiya residence even though it was late at night.

&n
bsp; "Hitting it off with an unidentified beauty, they reportedly went off hand in hand. It's incredibly hard to believe, but that girl seems to have successfully applied some kind of hypnosis on a Campione."

  Hearing this, Erica sighed.

  "I've mentioned this before, but whatever... When facing a girl, the number of openings he displays is truly despairing, that's Godou for you."

  "And here I go thinking he had learned a little lesson after the recent encounter with Guinevere."

  "Hasn't this occurred enough... Since it's impossible for us to accompany him every moment of the day, he must learn to be alert when he's on his own."

  "So, Amakasu-san, where did Godou-san go afterwards?"

  Yuri questioned the History Compilation Committee member after listening to Erica and Liliana's laments.

  "Ah, that's right. In actual fact, we have ten-odd staff divided into three teams to keep a close watch on Kusanagi-san, but none of them were able to report what had happened. We don't know what the mysterious girl did to them, but they were all discovered unconscious."

  "I see... If Amakasu picked the team, they should all be competent."

  Hearing Amakasu's report, Erica put her emotions aside.

  "In that case, even if one of them -- no, even if the entire team attacked in concert, the same outcome would likely have occurred. Conversely, we should be relieved by the lack of casualties so far. It is imperative that we catch Godou and snatch him back from that suspicious woman."

  "Yes. If that is the case, our first priority is to track down the location of Kusanagi Godou."

  "Isn't it redundant to search for him? Based on the current situation, the eventual destination should be that place."

  Just as Liliana expressed her resolve, Sayanomiya Kaoru spoke up.

  The History Compilation Committee Tokyo Branch Chief and beautiful cross-dressing Hime-Miko. Furthermore, she was the girl whose talents rivaled Erica Blandelli.

  Clearly she had reached the same conclusion as Erica.

  "That's right. Rather than wasting time on something like that, it would be more efficient to focus our search on methods to lift Godou's curse."

  As Erica expressed agreement, Kaoru suddenly smiled.

  Well said. Those two words seemed to be on the tip of Kaoru's tongue. Presently, Sayanomiya Kaoru was helping Kusanagi Godou in a capacity beyond her position as a leader in the History Compilation Committee.

  Perhaps, Kusanagi Godou's own "Round Table" would be established sooner or later in due time--

  In that event, Kaoru would likely occupy the position of cardinal bishop instead of chancellor. Also, she was probably going to share the strategist role with Erica the paladino and mistress of the palace. They would both offer strategies continually in a competition of power and influence.

  This was the future Erica envisioned in response to Kaoru who was smiling like an accomplice.

  "What you mean by destination is the Floating Island? If the mysterious woman were in league with Guinevere, and their goal was to use Kusanagi Godou in their designs, it must be that place with great certainty..."

  Liliana asserted.

  She was likely indifferent to covert political struggles, loyally serving Kusanagi Godou as his bodyguard knight and housekeeper. She should be the subordinate who nobly insists on performing these roles that combined official and personal duties.

  "On the other hand, what if Prince Alec arranged this for the purpose of leading Kusanagi Godou away from the Floating Island? Well, no matter what kind of conspiracy, abduction and assassination... Are probably not a concern, right?"

  Ruling out assassination, Liliana knew very well.

  Deceiving Campiones was possible, but surprise assassinations were not. These were people who had slain gods and possessed unreasonable survivability and violent streaks. Liliana did not think he could become an assassination target without a struggle. If Kusanagi Godou were to be caught in such a crisis--

  A battle with the would-be assassin, wrecking half of Tokyo, would probably happen first?

  Imagining that sort of scene, Erica smiled wryly and replied:

  "I doubt Prince Alec is involved in this incident. It doesn't suit his style."

  "I agree. Tactfully described, he is 'a man who remains a youth at heart.' To be more frank, it could be said 'even though he never hesitates to commit what he considers to be cool crimes, he is a man who refrains from this category of despicable acts no matter what.'"

  Kaoru also supplemented with her distinctive style of exposition.

  "A fifteen-year-old's nocturnal motorcycle joyride. The mere mention of this kind of anecdote reminds me of that man. Setting a honey trap is definitely something he would never do."

  "Also, if Guinevere-sama were to cast an enchantment on a Campione, it would require taking a risk akin to subduing a wild beast alive -- it is difficult to imagine her taking such measures unless it is related to the Floating Island battle."

  "The only ones capable of taking on a god-slayer, are gods and other god-slayers. Indeed that is the truth."

  Yuri nodded gracefully and replied to Kaoru with unconcerned tones.

  "Hey Yuri, what's your opinion on the woman who abducted Kusanagi-san? If it was only a witch, even a Divine Ancestor, it would be an easy matter to handle. Otherwise, things could get rather tricky."

  "What makes you think that...? Right, I do have a rather disquieting feeling."

  Simply shutting her eyes for a moment to examine the notion in her heart, Yuri replied quietly.

  "Truly astounding, a terrifying existence. Such is the feeling..."

  I get it. Erica nodded. Kaoru must have intentionally brought up a series of ambiguous statements. Given Yuri was one of the most outstanding users of spirit vision, the veracity of her heart's answer was quite convincing.

  "Perhaps you've sensed the arrival of a new goddess, Yuri?"

  "Impossible to be certain. Though I would not be surprised if it turns out to be true."

  Yuri solemnly bestowed an oracle in response to Erica's question.

  Even in chaotic situations where the truth was unclear, Yuri always acted as a beacon lighting the path ahead. Bright and dazzling on occasion, dim and feeble at other times.

  The one and only guide providing illumination in the darkness, that was the role Yuri performed.

  "During critical moments, it's probably best to summon her to the scene? It does offer the most efficacious and practical effect when deploying emergency measures."

  "True. But I think it's not fair for us to burden her too much with overly high expectations."

  Erica expressed dissent to Kaoru's murmurs, causing the cross-dressing beauty to smile wryly.

  "Naturally. Even though I said practical effect, it often turns out to be a rather limited effect."

  Having decided their direction, Erica and the girls began their operation.

  Amakasu had headed out in a rush to prepare for their rescue target's inevitable appearance in the Floating Island situation. This Japanese ninja mainly specialized in wizardry related to covert operations, was very knowledgeable in myths and legends, and was a man who could competently handle all sorts of situations.

  The days when Erica was Kusanagi Godou's lone attendant were already long past.

  At some point in time, the young Campione's faction was beginning to flourish with an abundance of exceptional talent. Nevertheless, they were still akin to the cream and toppings used to decorate a cake, for if the foundation -- Godou himself were absent, everything would be meaningless.

  While Erica and Kaoru continued to lead the discussion on possible countermeasures, a phone call was received.

  'Hey Erica, how are things coming along with the affair at hand? Ah yes, of course it wouldn't do for a proper lady to indulge in morbid curiosity. Nevertheless, I am still an important member of the organization responsible to the world despite having stepped down from my duties, right? It is only natural to be properly informed about the state of
affairs with which I am involved.'

  The result of the brief conversation was the enlistment of a reassuring comrade.

  Campiones were demons who slew gods and usurped their sacred authorities. Nevertheless, it was a mystery why these [Kings] always became centers of chaos and commotion, getting other people involved. Perhaps the reason why so many people got swept up into their antics was related to these Campiones' individual wills and ways of thinking.

  Getting a real sense of this, Erica concluded the preparations and spent the night together with her comrades.

  Then the next day arrived--

  Receiving a report from Amakasu saying that "something strange is happening in the Devil's Sea," Liliana used the [Witch's Eye] to investigate the area in question. Relying on her flight magic, Erica and the girls were finally reunited with Godou.

  He smiled to welcome Erica, Yuri and Liliana who had flown here.

  "Really... To think you chased me down to a place like this. What a meddlesome bunch you are. I am busy with my playmate here, so kindly stay out of it."

  With a cheerful smile, he asserted.

  On the other hand, the playmate listening on the side seemed to be frowning bitterly.

  "I don't care if you want to treat things as fun and games, but this is an important segment of my plans. If you're frivolously making a nuisance, scram and hurry home instead."

  "What a surprise. Why so serious, Gascoigne? It's true I'm having fun, but I am serious too, you know? But rather than playing around, getting more serious would be interesting. Entertain me to the end and don't run off midway."

  Godou responded to Gascoigne's demand as if making fun of him.

  Under normal conditions, these words could not have come from his mouth. If the "King of Swords" Salvatore Doni were around to hear such words, he would most likely offer a hug with utmost delight.

  Witnessing this scene, Erica and the girls began to whisper to one another.

  "...Everyone, what do you think about Kusanagi Godou's condition?"

  "...Clearly he is acting very weird. However, in terms of mental state there are no signs of instability, but it is not exactly a bipolar disorder either."

  "...Yes. It actually feels quite natural."